Dartmouth, New Bedford residents go out in the cold to protest I.C.E.
An American flag waves over a sign against I.C.E. Photos by Kat Sheridan
A frog holds a pun sign calling for the publication of the Epstein files.
Protesters pose on the corner at the border of New Bedford and Dartmouth.
A sign calling for I.C.E. out.
A sign calling for action held up to the road.
A labor organization holds their sign.
A number of protesters pose with their signs. 
A sign calling for justice for the arrested 5-year-old. 
A couple of signs against I.C.E.
A poster against kings, dictators and police states.
A sign calling for I.C.E. to leave.
A number of signs protesting the deportation of immigrants.
A number of signs protesting I.C.E.
An American flag waves over a sign against I.C.E. Photos by Kat Sheridan
A frog holds a pun sign calling for the publication of the Epstein files.
Protesters pose on the corner at the border of New Bedford and Dartmouth.
A sign calling for I.C.E. out.
A sign calling for action held up to the road.
A labor organization holds their sign.
A number of protesters pose with their signs.
A sign calling for justice for the arrested 5-year-old.
A couple of signs against I.C.E.
A poster against kings, dictators and police states.
A sign calling for I.C.E. to leave.
A number of signs protesting the deportation of immigrants.
A number of signs protesting I.C.E.
“We have to come out and show people that not everybody stands behind these terrible crimes of I.C.E.,” said Rafael Pizarro of New Bedford. “People are willing even in this cold to come out and have their voices heard. I think it’s important to do that right now.”
About 70 people from all over Southcoast Massachusetts showed up on the border of New Bedford and Dartmouth to support Minnesota in their protests of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
“We got to support all the immigrants here in this country right now,” said Mike of Dartmouth from the United Healthcare Workers union. “Donald Trump’s trying to kick … everybody out of here, even people that are here legally.”
This protest was a labor solidarity standout, with unions in the South Coast gathering in support of the general strike and walkout called for by Minnesota unions.
A number of unions showed up, including the local branches of the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations, Steelworkers Organization of Active Retirees and the North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenter and the United Brotherhood of Carpenters & Joiners of America.
This strike was called for after the detention of 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos, who legally came to the United States from Ecuador with his family, according to the family’s lawyer, Marc Prokosch. The Department of Homeland Security stated they were making America safer through this, saying his father is an “illegal alien.”
“We are out here talking about what they’re doing in Minneapolis,” said Jerry Fishbien of Dartmouth, the Vice President of the Central Labor Council. “What they’re doing in New Bedford and Fall River is outrageous, needs to stop, we’re calling on I.C.E. to stop. And we’re applauding and standing shoulder to shoulder with our brothers and sisters in Minneapolis.”
While there was no counter protest, some passerbys responded with their middle fingers raised or thumbs down. One woman pulled over to start an argument with the protesters, saying that I.C.E. is arresting violent criminals.
Overwhelmingly, it was difficult for protesters to converse over the supportive honking that acted as background noise during the protest.
While the protest centered on protesting I.C.E., other signs called for issues such as the release of the Epstein Files and impeaching Trump. Many had their union flags with them.
“I hate what [I.C.E. is] doing to the people who live here and who work here, who make up our communities,” said Sonia Brito of New Bedford. “I’m a union member, and I’m an immigrant, and I’m a young woman, so to me it’s a very personal issue and I believe in it very deeply.”
